Electrostatic copying device with paper cutter mechanism

ABSTRACT

An electrostatic photocopying microfilm reader-printer for copying images from an original document medium onto copy paper including a cassette for holding a supply of copy paper, an image forming mechanism for electrostatically forming an image on the copy paper, a vacuum conveyor for moving the copy paper through the image forming mechanism, a paper cutter mechanism for cutting indeterminate lengths of copy paper into shorter determinate lengths, and a flexible endless driving element for operating the imaging forming mechanism, the vacuum conveyor and the paper cutter mechanism. The paper cutter mechanism further including a pair of cutting members having a cocked position and a released position so that the cutting members cut the sheet material as they move from the cocked position to the released position, resilient means for urging the cutting members toward the released position, latch means for selectively holding the cutting members in the cocked position, and release means for causing the latch means to release the cutting members for movement to the released position to cut the sheet material.

United States Patent i 1 Freeman et al.

[ ELECTROSTATIC COPYING DEVICE WITH PAPER CUTTER MECHANISM [76] Inventors: Lawrence M. Freeman, 599 Ansley Court, NE.. Atlanta, Ga. 30324; Francis T. Arnold, 2379 Tristan Circle, NE., Atlanta. Ga. 30345 [22] Filed: June 17, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 479,657

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 304,5l9, Nov. 7. 1972, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. l46,l 14. May 24, 1971, Pat. No. 3.730.622.

[52] U.S. Cl. 355/13; 83/208; 83/222; 355/3; 355/10; 355/] l; 355/12; 355/14; 355/27; 355/28; 355/29; 355/45 Cold 355/28 NOV. 25, 1975 Primary Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Attorney. Agent. or FirmB. J. Powell [57] ABSTRACT An electrostatic photocopying microfilm readerprinter for copying images from an original document medium onto copy paper including a cassette for holding a supply of copy paper, an image forming mechanism for electrostatically forming an image on the copy paper. a vacuum conveyor for moving the copy paper through the image forming mechanism. a paper cutter mechanism for cutting indeterminate lengths of copy paper into shorter determinate lengths. and a flexible endless driving element for operating the imaging forming mechanism. the vacuum conveyor and the paper cutter mechanism. The paper cutter mechanism further including a pair of cutting members having a cocked position and a released position so that the cutting members cut the sheet material as they move from the cocked position to the released position, resilient means for urging the cutting members toward the released position. latch means for selectively holding the cutting members in the cocked position. and release means for causing the latch means to release the cutting members for movement to the released position to cut the sheet material.

28 Claims, 38 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet10f19 3,922,083

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U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 

1. In an apparatus for electrostatically copying images from an original document onto copy paper including a supply of copy paper, an image forming means for reproducing the image on the original document medium onto the copy paper, and conveying means for selectively transporting said copy peper from said supply of copy paper through the image forming means; the improvement comprising: a single drive motor having a rotary output shaft; a driving member carried by the rotatable with said output shaft; a driven member means; a flexible endless transfer member drivingly connecting said driven member means with said driving member and movable along a prescribed path between said driving member and said driven member means by said driving member; said conveying means including paper feed means for selectively feeding copy paper along a prescribed path from said supply of copy paper toward said image forming means; a paper cutting assembly positioned across said prescribed path along which said copy paper is moved by said paper feed means and through which said copy paper passes, said assembly including: a pair of cutting members positioned in a cutting relationship to each other and between which said copy paper passes, and positioning means operatively connecting said pair of cutting members for positioning said cutting members in a first cocked position at which said copy paper can freely pass between said pair of cutting members and for moving said cutting members through a second cutting position to cause said cutting members to cut said copy paper; and, control means carried by said flexible endless transfer member for selectively causing said positioning means to position said cutting members in said first cocked position and to move said cutting members through said second cutting position to cut said copy paPer to a prescribed length.
 2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes: first cocking member means carried by said endless transfer member at a first predetermined position thereon and movable therewith along said prescribed path of said transfer member, said positioning means located adjacent said prescribed path of said transfer member to be activated by said cocking member means to cause said control means to move said pair of cutting members to said first cocked position; second release member means carried by said endless transfer member at a second predetermined position thereon and movable therewith along said prescribed path of said transfer member to activate said positioning means as said release member means moves thereby to cause said positioning means as said release member means moves thereby to cause said positioning means to move said cutting member through said second cutting position to cut said copy paper.
 3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pair of cutting members includes a stationary blade and a rotary blade, each of said blades defining a cutting edge therealong, said rotary blade rotatably mounted with respect to said stationary blade and operatively connected to said positioning means so that said cutting edges are spaced apart to allow said copy paper to pass therethrough when said cutting members are in said first cocked position and so that said cutting edges are in a cutting relationship when said cutting members pass through said second cutting position.
 4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes: a positioning member operatively connected to said cutting members for positioning said members in said first position and for moving said cutting members through said second position; resilient means for constantly urging said positioning member to move said cutting members from said first position through said second position, and latch means for selectively engaging said positioning member to releasably maintain said cutting members in said first position.
 5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said latch means includes a latch member and spring means for constantly urging said latch member into latching engagement with said positioning member.
 6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said control means includes: first cocking member means carried by said endless transfer member at a first predetermined position thereon and movable therewith along said prescribed path of said transfer member, said positioning member located adjacent said prescribed path of said transfer member to be activated by said cocking member means to cause said positioning member to move said pair of cutting members toward said first cocked position to be engaged by said latch member to maintain said cutting members in said first position; and second release member means carried by said endless transfer member at a second predetermined position thereon and movable therewith along said prescribed path of said transfer member to move said latch member and release said driving member as said release member means moves thereby to cause said resilient means to move said cutting members through said second cutting position to cut said copy paper.
 7. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first cocking member means and said second release member means are moved along spaced apart, non-intersecting paths and wherein said positioning member is operatively associated only with said path of said cocking member means and said latch member is operatively associated only with said release member means so that said cocking member means operates only said positioning member and said release member means operates only said latch member means.
 8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said positioning member defines a camming surface thereon intersecting said path of said cocking member means and cleAring said path of said release member means; and wherein said latch member defines a trip thereon intersecting said path of said release member means and clearing said path of said cocking member means.
 9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a cassette for holding a roll of copy paper comprising: a tubular member having the roll of copy paper wound therearound; a housing defining a chamber therein and including mounting means for rotatably mounting said tubular member with said roll of copy paper thereon within said chamber, and further defining an opening therethrough for discharge of a layer of copy paper from said roll of copy paper therethrough; and, braking means carried by said housing and engaging the inside of said tubular member to exert a retarding force on said tubular member as said paper is unrolled from said roll.
 10. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said housing includes a plurality of components and locking means for selectively connecting said components to form said housing, said locking means being destroyed upon disassembly of said components.
 11. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said components include a main cylinder and an end cap, said main cylinder including a tubular side wall defining said opening along the length thereof and an end wall closing one end of said tubular side wall, and said end cap being adapted to selectively close the opposite end of said side wall; and wherein said locking means includes a plurality of locks on said opposite end of said tubular side wall and a plurality of retainers on said end cap, said locks and retainers co-operating to selectively connect said end cap to said side wall and designed to be destroyed upon disassembly of said end cap and said main cylinder.
 12. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said locks define an outwardly tapering surface toward the trailing end thereof and a locking surface at the trailing end thereof; and wherein each of said retainers defines an inwardly tapered surface toward the trailing end thereof and a retaining surface at the trailing end thereof, said tapering surfaces of said locks and said retainers adapted to engage each other and deflect said locks and retainers with respect to each other as said end cap and said opposite end of said side wall are moved toward each other to allow said locks and said retainers to pass by each other and said locking and trailing surfaces to engage each other, said locking and engaging surfaces arranged to cause said locks and retainers to be destroyed if said end cap and main cylinder are forced apart.
 13. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said mounting means includes an annular flange adapted to fit within said tubular member for rotatably supporting same, said annular flange defining at least one brake opening therethrough positioned within said tubular member; and, wherein said braking means includes a resilient member projecting through said brake opening and engaging said tubular member for exerting a force thereon resisting rotation of said tubular member.
 14. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said mounting means includes an annular flange adapted to fit within said tubular member for rotatably supporting same, said annular flange defining a plurality of cutouts therethrough positioned within said tubular member, and wherein said braking means includes a resilient member comprising a central bearing portion and a plurality of side bearing portions resiliently connected to said central bearing portion, said central bearing portion and each of said side bearing portions extending through said cutouts to engage said tubular member for exerting forces on said tubular member resisting rotation of said tubular member.
 15. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said mounting means includes an annular flange adapted to fit within said tubular member for rotatably supporting same, said annular flange defining a plurality of cutouts therethrough positioned within said tubular member, and wherein said braking means includes a resilient member comprising a central bearing portion and a plurality of side bearing portions resiliently connected to said central bearing portion, said central bearing portion and each of said side bearing portions extending through said cutouts to engage said tubular member for exerting forces on said tubular member resisting rotation of said tubular member.
 16. In apparatus as set forth in claiam 1 further including a vacuum conveying means and a developer means for developing an electrostatic image on said copy paper into a visual image and having a developing medium therein, the improvement further comprising: an electrical drive motor having a rotary output shaft; pump means drivingly connected to said output shaft of said motor for pumping said developing medium onto said copy paper in said developer means; fan means drivingly connected to said output shaft of said motor, and having an intake and exhaust; and, first duct means operatively connecting said intake of said fan means to said vacuum conveying means to impose a partial vacuum thereon when said fan means is operating.
 17. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a light source assembly, the improvement further comprising: an electrical drive motor having a rotary output shaft; fan means drivingly connected to said output shaft of said motor, and having an intake and exhaust; first duct means operatively connecting said exhaust of said fan means to said light source assembly to cool same when said fan means is operating, and, third duct means operatively connected to said exhaust of said fan means for directing air from said exhaust onto said copy paper.
 18. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a light source assembly and a vacuum conveying means, the improvement further comprising: an electrical drive motor having a rotary output shaft; fan means drivingly connected to said output shaft of said motor, and having an intake and exhaust; first duct means operatively connecting said intake of said fan means to said vacuum conveying means to impose a partial vacuum thereon when said fan means is operating; and, second duct means operatively connecting said exhaust of said fan means to said light source assembly to cool same when said fan means is operating.
 19. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further including a light source assembly and wherein said improvement further comprises: second duct means operatively connecting said exhaust of said fan means to said light source assembly to cool same when said fan means is operating.
 20. In a machine as set forth in claim 19 wherein said improvement further includes means for directing the air supplied to and heated by said light source assembly onto said copy paper after passage of said copy paper through said developer means to dry said copy paper.
 21. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the improvement further comprises: corona charging means for imposing an electrical charge on said copy paper as said copy paper moves from said supply of copy paper to said image forming means; power supply means having a first output with a first electrical polarity and a second output with a second polarity opposite to said first polarity; and, switch means operatively and alternatively connecting said first and second outputs to said corona charging means to alternatively impose aa charge on said copy paper of said first polarity and said second polarity.
 22. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein said corona charging means includes a first corona unit facing that surface of said copy paper to be electrostatically charged and a second corona unit facing that surface of said copy paper opposite that surface to be charged; and, wherein said switch means includes a first input electrically connected to Said first output of said power supply a second input electrically connected to said second output of said power supply means, a first corona output electrically connected to said first corona unit, a second corona output electrically connected to said second corona, and contact means operatively connecting said first input with said first corona output and said second input with said second corona output in a first position, said contact means selectively movable to a second position to operatively connect said first input to said second corona output and said second input to said first corona output.
 23. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said switch means includes a housing mounting said inputs and said corona outputs along a circular path, said inputs located at diametrically opposite positions on said path and said corona outputs located at diametrically opposite points on said path, said corona outputs shifted 90* with respect to said inputs; and wherein said contact means includes a rotor rotatably carried by said switch housing and having a rotational axis extending through the center of said circular path, a first contact carried by said rotor, and a second contact carried by said rotor, said first contact dimensioned to alternatively connect to said first corona output and to said second corona output, said second contact dimensioned to alternatively connect said second input to said second corona output and to said first corona output, and said first and second contacts arranged so that said second contact connects said second input to said second corona output when said first contact connects said first input to said first corona output and said second contact connects said second input to said first corona output when said first contact connects said first input to said second corona output.
 24. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an image rotating mechanism including: a support means; a focusing lens caarried by said support means; a dove prism carried by said support means a prescribed distance from said focusing lens, having it longitudinal centerline aligned with the image centerline of said focusing lens, and defining an image receiving surface, said image receiving surface having an area just sufficiently large to receive said image from said lens thereon.
 25. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, the improvement further comprising: a single drive motor having a rotary output shaft; a driving member carried by and rotatable with said output shaft; an idler member means; a flexible endless transfer member drivingly connecting said idler member with said driving member and movable along a prescribed path between said driving member and said idler member means by said driving member; driven member means positioned adjacent said prescribed path and operatively connected to said conveying means for driving same as said driven member is driven; a flexible engaging member carried by said endless transfer member, said engaging member having a predetermined length shorter than said endless transfer member and located at a predetermined position on said endless transfer member so that said engaging member drivingly engages said driven member to drive said conveying means as said endless transfer member moves said engaging member thereby.
 26. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1 for copying images from microfilm onto copy paper including image forming means for reproducing the image of the microfilm on the copy paper and a viewing screen, the improvement further comprising: image projection means for projecting the image from the microfilm into said image forming means to cause the image to be reproduced on said copy paper; projection transfer means for selectively transferring the projected image from said image projection means onto said viewing screen while preventing said projected image from reaching said image forming means when said projection tranSfer means is in a first position and for allowing said projected image to reach said image forming means when said projection transfer means is in a second position; a single drive motor having a rotary output shaft; a driving member carried by the rotatable with said output shaft; a flexible endless transfer member connected to and moved by said driving member along a prescribed path in a first direction; a driving element mounted on and movable with transfer member along said prescribed path; a first driven element operatively connected to said projection transfer means; said first driven element constructed and arranged to be engaged by said driving element to move said projection transfer means from said first position to said second position as said driving element is moved along a first predetermined portion of said prescribed path in said first direction by said transfer member and for releasing said first driving element when said projection transfer means reaches said second position; a second driven element operatively connected to said projection transfer means; said second driven element constructed and arranged to be engaged by said driving element to move said projection transfer means from said second position to said first position as said driving element is moved along a second predetermined portion of said prescribed path in said first direction by said transfer member and for releasing said second driving element when said projection transfer means reaches said first position.
 27. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 26 wherein said projection transfer means is constructed and arranged to be constantly urged toward said first position, and further including holding means for resiliently and releasably maintaining said projection transfer means in said second position when said projection transfer means is moved to said second position.
 28. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first driven element includes a pair of spaced apart first flanges, said first flanges defining an entrance space to allow said driving element to move between and engage said flanges to move said projection transfer means from said first to said second position and defining an exit space to allow said driving element to move from between said first flanges and disengage said flanges and said projection transfer means in said second position; and, wherein said second driven element includes a pair of spaced apart second flanges, said second flanges defining an entrance space to allow said driving element to move between and engage said flanges to move said projection transfer means from said second to said first position and defining an exit space to allow said driving element to move from between said second flanges and disengage said flanges with said projection transfer means in said first position. 